The Best Free PaintTool SAI AlternativesTop Digital Painting Tools & Image Editors like PaintTool SAI

The best free alternative to PaintTool SAI is Krita, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to PaintTool SAI and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to PaintTool SAI are MediBang Paint, FireAlpaca, ibis Paint X and MyPaint.

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Alternatives list

  1. Krita icon

    Krita

     1414 likes

    Free, open-source painting software designed by artists for artists. Offers customizable UI, 9 brush engines, color management, tablet support, non-destructive editing, and privacy features. Portable and available on major platforms, supporting seamless texture creation.

    142 Krita alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android Tablet
    • KDE Plasma
    • Epic Games Store
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam
    • F-Droid
    Main Window
     
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    13
    Comments about Krita as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    6

    Very advanced program that is absolutely free, only downside is that it's not as lightweight as SAI

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    0

    Both Krita's brush system and UI are very different from SAI, notably the color blending system which make it impossible to recreate the watercolor effect in SAI, it is more similar to Autodesk Sketchbook.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It has many capabilities, and I've seen people's work using this. It's amazing to work in and is good in animation features.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 13 comments
    Krita icon
    Krita icon
    • Krita is Free and Open SourcePaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
    • Krita is Lightweight and Privacy focusedPaintTool SAI is not according to our users
  2. MediBang Paint icon

    MediBang Paint

     117 likes

    MediBang Paint is a lightweight software for illustration and making comic books on Windows and Mac OS.

    77 MediBang Paint alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Steam
    Great for anime or comics
     
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    14
    Comments about MediBang Paint as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    5

    Its very convenient and it works on every device

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    -1

    the app is filled with a bunch of tools and not enough explaniton

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    I love the dark UI and how organized it is

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 14 comments
    MediBang Paint icon
    MediBang Paint icon
    • MediBang Paint is Freemium and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
    • MediBang Paint is LightweightPaintTool SAI is not according to our users
  4. FireAlpaca icon

    FireAlpaca

     89 likes

    FireAlpaca is the image editor that can be used readily and easily. We made it possible to provide the completely free download, in order for our products to be experienced by more users from all over the world. It is available for both Mac and Windows users!

    124 FireAlpaca alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    FireAlpaca screenshot 1
     
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    9
    Comments about FireAlpaca as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    5

    Firealpaca is much easier to use! It's simpler to find your way around and it's completely free for mac and windows! It's also great because it has regular updates so you know it's always gonna get better. You can animate on it and use masks, references and palettes.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Overall very similar brush/color sampling system, especially with color blending.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    FireAlpaca is good. Can be easier to draw with pentablet

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 9 comments
    FireAlpaca icon
    FireAlpaca icon
    • FireAlpaca is Free and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
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  6. ibis Paint X icon

    ibis Paint X

     41 likes

    ibis Paint is an easy yet powerful drawing app made with tools for sketching manga right at your fingertips.

    57 ibis Paint X alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    ibis Paint X screenshot 1
     
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    11
    Comments about ibis Paint X as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    4

    The app is very functional :) So many brushes and options. Maybe at the beginning everything's a bit complicated, but if get used to it it's very easy and effective. Also there's a chance of learning so many methods and styles of drawing by the new features and even from other artists. I definitley recommend this aplication :3

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It's like medibang, but you don't have good stabilization and stuff like that. it's a simular.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Has a lot of features and the ones that are locked can be all unlocked at once if you watch one add, really good alternative but sadly it's only for phone users

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 11 comments
    ibis Paint X icon
    ibis Paint X icon
    • ibis Paint X is Freemium and ProprietaryPaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
  7. MyPaint icon

    MyPaint

     387 likes

    MyPaint is a fast, distraction-free, and easy painting tool for digital artists. It supports graphics tablets made by Wacom, and many similar devices.

    128 MyPaint alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    MyPaint screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about MyPaint as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    There aren't as many functions as PaintTool SAI

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    MyPaint icon
    MyPaint icon
    • MyPaint is Free and Open SourcePaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
  8. Affinity icon

    Affinity

     55 likes

    Unified design solution merging advanced photo, vector, and layout tools for seamless workflow, non-destructive editing, RAW support, batch processing, AI enhancements, GPU acceleration, file compatibility, cloud asset integration, and tailored workspace options.

    68 Affinity alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Affinity screenshot 1
     
  10. Photopea icon

    Photopea

     336 likes

    Browser-based image editing supports PSD, XCF, Sketch formats, advanced layers, vector tools, RAW photo support, and exports in 40+ formats. Fully client-side with AI background removal, content-aware tools, and privacy as files never leave your device.

    112 Photopea alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Photopea screenshot 1
     
  11. AzPainter icon

    AzPainter

     22 likes

    AzPainter is a full color painting program for Linux. It's a lightweight tool with tablet pressure support, and provides basic functions such as selection, layers, filters. you can use it for painting, image editing, or pixel art making.

    32 AzPainter alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    AzPainter screenshot 1
     
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    4
    Comments about AzPainter as an Alternative to PaintTool SAI
    ADRIANO DUARTE
    Positive
    2

    Lightweight, very simple and powerful.

    Guest
    Positive
    3

    Smooth brushes, almost like PaintTool SAI. Includes "cell animation". ultra light, loads in 1 or 2 seconds in my computer.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    Has almost funtions as Sai does

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    AzPainter icon
    AzPainter icon
    • AzPainter is Free and Open SourcePaintTool SAI is Paid and Proprietary
    • AzPainter is LightweightPaintTool SAI is not according to our users
  12. SketchPort icon

    SketchPort

     22 likes

    SketchPort is an online drawing community with free software for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. Draw, chat, vote, be inspired, be challenged and earn badges!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    SketchPort screenshot 1
     
  13. Vectr icon

    Vectr

     92 likes

    Vectr is a free graphics editor. Vectr is collaborative like Google Docs, and runs in your web browser. With an intuitive interface, Vectr is easy to learn and use.

    104 Vectr alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Chrome OS
    Vectr screenshot 1
     
  14. Kleki icon

    Kleki

     11 likes

    Kleki is a multi-platform web app for painting and editing. It features: 4 different brushes; pressure sensitivity for Wacom tablets; up to 8 layers; numerous filters with real-time preview; import to PSD, PNG, JPEG; export to JPEG and PNG; upload to imgur.com; local storage.

    64 Kleki alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    Kleki screenshot 1
     
  15. Pixelitor icon

    Pixelitor

     28 likes

    Pixelitor is an open source image editor with an intuitive interface and with a special emphasis on non-destructive editing.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Pixelitor screenshot 1
     
12 of 62 PaintTool SAI alternatives